ASK MAULANA

Your Questions Answered

What is the purpose of fasting?

There are two purposes of fasting: to make one cautious in life and to make one thankful to God. (QURAN 2: 183 & 185).

The Quran makes special mention of the month of Ramazan. Is there any particular reason for it?

There is a close link between the month of Ramazan and Quran. In the words of the Quran, In the month of Ramazan, the Quran was revealed as a book of guidance for mankind with clear proofs and criteria distinguishing right from wrong. The Quran is a reward to His servants from God and fasting is acknowledgement of the reward. Through fasting man makes himself worthy of being thankful to God.

What is the essence of fasting?

The essence of fasting is to eschew all evil ways throughout the year. The true fast is that from which one learns a lesson.

How does fasting inculcate discipline in a person?

During the month of Ramazan a believer, of his own free will, abstains from food and drink in the day time. It is only after sunset that he satisfies his hunger and quenches his thirst. In this way he builds up his self control. By practicing restraint for one month in a year, he is able to lead a life of self-discipline in all matters for the rest of the year.

Kindly give us one specific point of the reason behind considering Ramazan as a month of patience?

In the hadith, Ramazan is called the month of patience. This month is meant to serve as a training course which will enable the individual to lead a successful life in this world by keeping his negative feelings under control. Negative feelings, it must be remembered, present the greatest obstacle to human progress. Fasting is the pious way to solve this biggest of human problems.

What is the rationale behind the period of 30 days of fasting, why not less or more?

The rationale behind fasting for a month is made clear by psychological studies. It tells us that for a habit to be inculcated, thirty days are required. It is not an overnight miracle but a lengthy process. The practice becomes a part of one’s personality only when it is observed everyday for at least thirty days and only then it may continue for the rest of the year.

Can you give us a modern equivalent understanding of fasting?

Yes. Fasting is for personality and intellectual development. It could be best described as learning the art of desire management. In fact, not understanding Islamic teachings in an intellectual way and only using traditional explanations have led to practicing the religion only in its outer form with the spirit completely missing. This spiritless worship is the cause of the rise of a culture which is not the Islam as preached by the Prophet and as followed by him and his Companions.

What advice would you give us, as until now we used to see the practices of people around us during this month and conclude that the month of Ramzaan was somehow connected to eating lavishly in the evenings after a full day of fast and shopping for the festival towards the last part of the month and throwing parties?

These practices have nothing to do with Islam. Please do not judge Islam in the light of the behaviour of the Muslims but judge the behaviour of the Muslims in the light of Islam. If you wish to know what Islam actually preaches please refer to the original sources, the Quran and Prophet’s life.